- Matchup: Oregon State Beavers vs Houston Cougars
- Event Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
- Venue: TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX
- Broadcast: ESPN+
- Betting Odds: Cougars favored by 20.5 points
- Total Points Over-Under: 50.5
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On September 5, 2026, TDECU Stadium will host the showdown between the Houston Cougars (10-3 last season) and the Oregon State Beavers (2-10 last year). The Beavers enter this encounter as 20.5-point underdogs, and the total points line is established at 50.5.
The Oregon State Beavers concluded their previous season with a disappointing 2-10 record. Their last game saw them face off against the Washington State Cougars, where they fell short with a score of 32-8. They executed 70 plays, totaling 280 yards, while managing only 40 rushing yards from 29 attempts, averaging a mere 1.4 yards per carry. On defense, they allowed 186 rushing yards on 34 carries, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. In the air, Oregon State allowed 17 completions out of 28 throws for 197 yards, yielding a completion rate of 60.7%.
Throughout the last season, the Beavers accumulated a total of 4,198 yards. They recorded 14 passing touchdowns and 16 rushing touchdowns while turning the ball over 20 times. They managed 244 first downs but were penalized 71 times for a total of 599 yards. As an offensive unit, Oregon State averaged 123.9 rushing yards, ranking them 107th nationally, and put up an average of 18.2 points per game.
Defensively, the Beavers ranked 98th in Division I, conceding 29.4 points per game. They allowed an average of 4.6 yards per rushing attempt and 157.4 rushing yards per game. Over the 12-game stretch, Oregon State surrendered 1,889 rushing yards. They also gave up 2,669 passing yards, ranking them 53rd in Division I, allowing an average of 222.4 passing yards per game with a completion percentage of 56.9%. Overall, they yielded 379.8 yards per game, ranking 75th nationally, and allowed 22 aerial touchdowns alongside 17 on the ground.
The Houston Cougars concluded last season with a strong 10-3 record. In their most recent game, they triumphed over the LSU Tigers with a close score of 38-35. The Cougars achieved a total of 437 yards from 82 plays, averaging 5.3 yards per play. They enjoyed an impressive ground game, averaging 4.4 yards per carry with 201 yards from 46 attempts while allowing 24 carries for 77 yards (3.2 yards per attempt) from their opponents. In the passing department, Houston’s secondary allowed a completion percentage of 61.5%, giving up 267 yards on 16 completions out of 26 attempts.
The Cougars averaged 394.5 total yards per game, earning them the 61st spot nationwide. Houston’s offense was penalized 60 times for a total of 521 yards, placing them 119th in college football for penalties. They averaged 178.1 rushing yards per game, totaling 2,315 rushing yards over the season. The Cougars suffered 10 interceptions and 4 fumbles, while securing 287 first downs. In scoring, they averaged 29.1 points per game, ranking them 55th in college football. Their air attack produced 2,813 yards with an average of 216.4 passing yards per game, which ranked 84th nationally.
Defensively, the Cougars allowed 22.8 points per game, positioning them at 48th in the nation. They conceded a total of 1,677 rushing yards (129.0 yards per game) and 17 rushing touchdowns last year, along with 16 passing touchdowns, giving up 218.8 yards per game through the air, which placed them 66th in college football. The defense was on the field for a total of 855 plays, ranking them 78th nationally. They recovered 7 fumbles and intercepted 12 passes throughout the season, ending up with a total of 296 points allowed.
Which team will emerge victorious in this anticipated Beavers/Cougars matchup against the spread?
Expert’s Prediction: Go with the Beavers +20.5
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